Kate Northrop

About me

Reichenburg, Switzerland

I'm an American songwriter based in Switzerland who works primarily as a lyricist with co-writers from all over the world. I have songs signed to major labels and publishers (Universal Germany, EMI South Africa, etc). I've had songs in the Swiss and German pop charts. As a lyricist, my goal is creative collaboration with others, and my strength lies in feeling my way into the music and writing words to speak from the soul of it. I write across many genres, from folk and indie-rock to pop and EDM to symphonic metal. More info about my work as a lyricist at www.songwave.ch . I also play and compose for the Celtic harp. You'll find several of my original compositions on the profile, with my husband Sandro Friedrich playing flutes and percussion.

Cultural background

  • United States of America
  • Switzerland

Values

  • Achievement
  • Adventure
  • Authenticity
  • Balance
  • Challenge
  • Community
  • Compassion
  • Competency
  • Contribution
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Determination
  • Fairness
  • Friendships
  • Fun
  • Growth
  • Happiness
  • Honesty
  • Humor
  • Kindness
  • Knowledge
  • Learning
  • Listening
  • Love
  • Loyalty
  • Making a difference
  • Meaningful work
  • Openness
  • Optimism
  • Peace
  • Personal fulfilment
  • Pleasure
  • Recognition
  • Reliability
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Service
  • Spirituality
  • Stability
  • Success
  • Teamwork
  • Trustworthiness
  • Vision
  • Wealth
  • Well-being
  • Wisdom

Band/Ensemble

Project Music

Diamond Time

"Diamond Time" celebrates self-worth and resilience in the face of judgment and materialism. The lyrics emphasize that true value lies within oneself rather than in external possessions or societal status. The repeated references to diamonds symbolize the speaker's inherent worth and brilliance, which shines brighter than any material wealth. This song is to inspire listeners to embrace their authenticity and value their own inner light.

  • R&B / Soul
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Bass guitar
  • Hungary
  • Myanmar
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
Get Wise

“Get Wise” is an electrifying anthem celebrating the power of femininity and the divine essence within. With pulsating beats and empowering lyrics, it urges listeners to shed societal constraints, embrace wisdom, and reclaim their ambition. From the primal allure of the snake to the nurturing embrace of motherhood, it exudes the beauty and strength of womanhood. This isn't just music; it's a revolution—a call to arms for all to embrace their divine essence and shine brightly.

  • Pop
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Germany
  • Myanmar
  • United States of America
  • Switzerland
Keep our hope high

Let's Keep our Hope High   The song begins with a ritual chant, a greeting which includes all spiritual beings and their creator. In our material world, we often forget to give this priority. But the eternal is the true nature our spirit, even if the material is its partner. These kinds of rituals have been important for countless generations, but with time they are being forgotten. Yet it is precisely these which allow us to draw strength from the source. The song is a tribute to a ritual that is practiced by the indigenous Lakota people.

  • Ritual
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Choir
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Bongo drum
  • Cajon
  • Rattle
  • Snare drum
  • Tambourine
  • Canada
  • Finland
  • Haiti
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Peru
  • Slovenia
  • United States of America
Thunder

These days the powers that be are spreading fear (and weapons) instead of kindness and aid. This is one of the strongest indicators that we need major social change! We need to raise our voices together (like thunder!) and show that we are all one people who need a solution that unifies us instead of dividing us. We can regain our humanity and sense of community in the process. This is only the beginning.

  • World
  • Singer
  • Electric organ
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Bongo drum
  • Conga
  • Darbuka
  • Percussion
  • Tabla
  • Taiko
  • Tambourine
  • Timpani
  • Didgeridoo
  • Zurna
  • Congo
  • France
  • Kazakhstan
  • Korea
  • Lithuania
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
A Place of Love

Our world is so full of fear these days, and so many major decisions that affect everyone are being made from that emotional space. We think that social change is possible by turning that paradigm around: If we can live from a place of love, maybe we’d learn to trust each other… This is a loving and gentle song for making changes that matter.

  • Jazz
  • World
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Synthesizer
  • Bass guitar
  • Drum set
  • Flute
  • Kenya
  • Swaziland
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
Here and now

We are living in a society in which we are constantly being pulled out of our present moment by technology, which can dissociate us from the people around us and distract us from the vital importance of human connection. The song “Here & Now” encourages social change by reminding us to take the time to enjoy the most important things, in spite of everything that modern life throws at us. We celebrate diversity with two richly contrasting vocals from Kenya and Denmark.

  • Electronic
  • Jazz-Pop
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Singer
  • Electric piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Violin
  • Clapped hands
  • Conga
  • Fula flute
  • Denmark
  • Kenya
  • Russian Federation
  • United States of America
Find Us (Beyond)
Play
  • Award Winner

Many of us are stuck in our own heads, isolated from the truth about others and the earth that supports us. We see an idea of someone instead of who they are in this moment and who they could become. We fail to see the universality of what our own symbols mean and get lost in specificity. "Find Us" is a call to humanity to believe in a better way when conflict arises. Not to bypass our world's problems, but to approach them from a heart-centered place -- a place beyond ancient walls, tired stories from the past, and endless wars. Meet us there.

  • Alternative
  • Electronic
  • Indie Pop
  • Pop
  • Rock
  • Background vocals
  • Baritone
  • Contralto / Alto
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Soprano
  • Tenor
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
Sunrise

Our world’s problems begin at a deep level, in our most personal relationships. Sometimes we are mired in conflict, but when we reach out to help each other everything can change. If we move up a level to the challenges we are facing in the world today such as war, hunger and climate change, we can also make a difference by being there for each other, even when the situations we have created aren’t very pretty. We are given a new chance to try every day when the sun rises.

  • Pop
  • World
  • Baritone
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Piano
  • Percussion
  • Bass traverse flute
  • Austria
  • Cameroon
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
  • Czech Republic
Walls

We have too many walls, both physical and psychological, that are coming between us in this amazing, miraculous world. When we look more closely at them, we discover that they are built with fear: fear of the differences between us, fear of being separate, fear of not being accepted and connected to others. When we open up the conversation and talk about it, the fear melts like ice in the sun, and we can be together again.

  • Indie Pop
  • Contralto / Alto
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Soprano
  • Tenor
  • Bass guitar
  • Guitar
  • Harp
  • Drum set
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
Honey

This song addresses the conflict of intolerance (of race, sexual orientation, etc.) but instead of making it into a protest song, I turnedit into a pro-diversity song so it would offer a positive solution. I was inspired by a quote from Turkish writer Mehmet Murat Ildan: “Do you see your own culture as the most beautiful and perfect culture? You poor fellow! You are so much poor when you lack the beauty and wisdom of other cultures! Why is honey precious? Because honey is not the child of one flower, but a thousand flowers!"

  • African
  • Fusion
  • Pop
  • World
  • Blues
  • Singer
  • Electric piano
  • Grand piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Flute
  • Cameroon
  • Nigeria
  • Russian Federation
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
Sacred Song

This is a song about how we as humanity are in the process of learning to sing along to mother natures sacred song. It is an anthem to uplift our spirits and remind us to use our voice to rejoice and join her sacred song which in practical terms also means to choose to live and act in harmony with each other and our beautiful mother nature. It has been an amazing experience to collaborate as musicians from all over the world to make this song come alive.

  • Indie Pop
  • Pop
  • World
  • Choir
  • Singer
  • Piano
  • Cello
  • Harp
  • Viola
  • Violin
  • Drum machine
  • Saxophone
  • Argentina
  • Cameroon
  • Denmark
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
Sento Chiamata

Our planet is our cradle, of enchanting beauty. "Sento chiamata" is Mother Earth's call to be aware of the incredibly rich diversity of lifeforms that has evolved over millions of years – I protect what I love.

  • Pop
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Singer
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Electric piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Bouzouki
  • Drum set
  • Percussion
  • Fujara
  • Pivana
  • Australia
  • Cameroon
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Russian Federation
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
Wholehearted

Kate: In order to save the planet, we need the people who are whole at heart and take part in the effort. Sasha: The musical concept is based on the idea of breaking the structure or the relations of the instruments/voices. This song is recorded without bass line and almost without drumming. The focus is entirely on the voice of Dagga and melodic passages of the Fluteraman's flute. Fluteraman: The melody is haunting and makes me hum the tune again and again. Thanks Sasha Alexander for having me on this.

  • Electronic
  • Indian
  • Pop
  • World
  • Singer
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Flute
  • Sampler
  • India
  • Israel
  • Poland
  • Russian Federation
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
Miracle

Miracle For thousands of generations, humanity has been waiting for some kind of miracle to rescue us from all the hardships we have experienced and have created for ourselves. But some say the miracle has been there inside of us all along. This song is a reminder of our own power and our responsibility to use it collectively and wisely.

  • African
  • Fusion
  • Pop
  • Rock
  • World
  • Choir
  • Singer
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Accordion
  • Organ electric
  • Piano
  • Violin
  • Bongo drum
  • Cajon
  • Conga
  • Shekere
  • Taiko
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Lithuania
  • Swaziland
  • United States of America
Our world is blue
Play
  • Creativity Award
  • Album Track

The song “Our world is blue” is a declaration of love to our blue planet. It describes the beauty of our world in wonderful colorful pictures and is nevertheless critical. This song should remind people of the unique but fragile beauty of our world and: The worlds impermanence. We´ll lose our blue planet, our only home, if we will not immediately begin to stop the environmental pollution and the climate change. The song was recorded with 15 musicians from all over the world. “Our world is blue, we never get another”

  • Pop
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Singer
  • Synthesizer
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Bass guitar
  • Cello
  • Electric guitar
  • Guitar
  • Harp
  • Viola
  • Violin
  • Pivana
  • Cameroon
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Zambia
Storm

From the dawn of humanity we’ve been nurtured and protected by nature and the beauty of the world that surrounds us. Lately we’ve been going through some growing pains and causing damage to the very force that gave us life. This is both a lullaby and a wakeup call. Heartfelt vocals convey both sides of the story, supported by emotional performances on the violin and harp, over a powerful backing track that takes us from innocence to experience.

  • African
  • Classic Rock
  • New Age
  • Rock
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Singer
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Electric organ
  • Grand piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Fiddle
  • Harp
  • Violin
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
Mo mo money

"Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money." Cree Indian quote

  • Funk
  • Fusion
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • World
  • Electronic
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Synthesizer
  • Crumhorn
  • Occorso flute
  • Zurna
  • Sampler
  • Cameroon
  • Ghana
  • Israel
  • Russian Federation
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
The Chase

Kate: The animals that share the planet with us are diverse and beautiful, but unfortunately countless species are dying out. We think it's important to remind humanity of the beauty they bring to our world, and to treat them with the respect they deserve as equally valuable residents of our planet. Sasha composed this track with the story of the song in mind, and the music expresses the pure exuberance of the life that surrounds us.

  • Fusion
  • Pop
  • World
  • African
  • Singer
  • Electric piano
  • Grand piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Bass guitar
  • Drum set
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • France
  • Russian Federation
  • Sierra Leone
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
World on Fire

Syssi: Temperatures are rising, lands are drying out, forests are burning, our world is on fire. Climate change is no longer a distant threat. Its effects are every day more acute. Let’s hear our planet’s call for help and respond, together. Kate: Fire is a force of destruction, but it can also be a powerful force for change. The human race has inflicted destruction and suffering on our earth mother, but if we pay attention, it's also a call for us to awaken and take responsibility for our actions. This song is an echo of that call.

  • Electronic
  • Fusion
  • Pop
  • World
  • Singer
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Sampler
  • Belgium
  • Congo
  • Israel
  • Russian Federation
Save the world

It takes a whole village to raise a child is what they say. Same could be said about this song. After Kate sent the lyrics and initial melody idea to Elly everbody that joined in helped build the song up to the warm, safe place it is now. And this is exactly what the world can be. A place where everbody helps build our grand home up to be the warm, safe place we all deserve.

  • Easy Listening
  • New Age
  • Pop
  • Indie Pop
  • Background vocals
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Whistling / Humming
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Bell
  • Drum set
  • Vibraphone / Vibraharp
  • Germany
  • Israel
  • Netherlands
  • United States of America
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Switzerland
One World

ONE WORLD is a musical journey across our planet which explores the connections between cultures, landscapes and nature. Starting in the ocean, the cradle of primordial life, flutes play duets with the songs of whales. We proceed to the beach, lulled by the sound of waves, while a sparkling layer of violin textures frolics over them. Traveling inland, we reach the jungle, and begin to hear the voices of animals and humanity. The voices carry a powerful message: We have one world, and although we are all different, we must work together.

  • Vocal
  • World
  • Choir
  • Singer
  • Piano
  • Bouzouki
  • Ud / Oud
  • Violin
  • Djembe
  • Jaw harp
  • Kalimba
  • Low whistle
  • Nay / Ney
  • Pivana
  • Suling
  • Congo
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Russian Federation
  • Switzerland
  • Tanzania
  • Turkey
  • United States of America
Higher
Play
  • 239 votes

Sometimes the pursuit of happiness is as simple as taking the first step, and sometimes you have to walk a lot further. What matters is that you keep going in the right direction! Our journey takes us up mountains, and we're not giving up. We keep on singing!

  • Pop
  • World
  • Singer
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Darbuka
  • Djembe
  • Kalimba
  • Malimba
  • Tabla
  • Tambourine
  • Cameroon
  • Kazakhstan
  • Swaziland
  • United States of America
Earth
Play
  • 75 votes

There is nothing more powerful than the friendship between women. As Alice Adams put it: "I think women know how to be friends. That's what saves our lives." This song is about being there for someone through the hardest times. "I'll be the rock behind your back and the earth beneath your feet".

  • Fusion
  • Jazz-Pop
  • Pop
  • R&B / Soul
  • World
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Whistling / Humming
  • Electric organ
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Violin
  • Djembe
  • Drum set
  • Congo
  • Russian Federation
  • United States of America
  • Uzbekistan
Dream of Us
Play
  • 146 votes

When someone you love is at a distance, either physically or emotionally, you reach out to them, sometimes even in your dreams.

  • Pop
  • Traditional / Folk
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Bass guitar
  • Drum set
  • Bansuri
  • Tin whistle
  • Traverse flute
  • Kazakhstan
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America
Love is Like Air
Play
  • 332 votes

You don't really know how important love is until you feel a lack of it. It's as important as the food we eat, the water we drink and the air that we breathe. Children need it to grow, and we all need it to live. Whether it's love between parents and children, siblings, friends or lovers, it's completely vital for our survival. Love is like air.

  • Pop
  • Contralto / Alto
  • Singer
  • Electric piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Cello
  • Drum machine
  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Kazakhstan
  • United States of America
Not Me
Play
  • 152 votes

In the animal world, for many species it's the norm to be part of a flock or a pack, and function together for the common good of the group. What would it be like if we humans could also let go of our egos and all be part of the same team? We think there would be a big party! This song is about realizing you're not alone and embracing the joy of the shared experience of life. Featuring the joyful voice of Syssi Managa.

  • African
  • Pop
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Choir
  • Singer
  • Soprano
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Bass guitar
  • Guitar
  • Djembe
  • Dombak
  • Drum set
  • Congo
  • Kazakhstan
  • United States of America
Teedeevee X Kate Northrop - Music Travels on Air
Play
  • 10 votes

Music Travels On Air #MTOA is a song amazingly written by Kate Northrop and well composed and performed by Teedeevee. This blend of music brings together two different cultural backgrounds to make music. As the title of the song, music indeed travels air all through to different cultures uniting every culture showing itself as same all through the world.

  • African
  • Alternative
  • Indie Pop
  • Background vocals
  • Bass
  • Bass-baritone
  • Acoustic bass guitar
  • Nigeria
  • Switzerland
Banyan Tree
Play
  • 19 votes

The banyan tree is a significant multicultural symbol. It appears in almost every world religion. Buddha is said to have sat under a banyan tree for seven days after he attained enlightenment. It is venerated in India and in Hinduism it is associated with the fulfillment of wishes. Banyan is mentioned in many scriptures as a tree of immortality and it is truly a cross-cultural link between us all. Our song features the voice of Sharon Ben-Zadok, who adds her own touch to the banyan tree story, singing in Hebrew as well as in English.

  • African
  • Electronic
  • Vocal
  • World
  • Contralto / Alto
  • Singer
  • Synthesizer
  • Jaw harp
  • Bass traverse flute
  • Transverse Flute
  • Traverse flute
  • Israel
  • Switzerland
  • Uganda
  • United States of America
Water
Play
  • 15769 votes
  • Creativity Award
  • Public Award
  • Album Track

In this song, water is a metaphor for the emotional connection between people which can bridge cultures and cross borders. It is also a basic universal human need that we share. Water is a critical natural resource, and in many countries, the lack of it affects predominantly women, who often have to carry it over extremely long distances with great effort. But collecting water also brings women closer together in their shared mission. Featuring the beautiful and powerful voice of Sheryl Gambo.

  • African
  • Fusion
  • Pop
  • Rock
  • World
  • Singer
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Organ electric
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Gambus
  • Harp
  • Tambura
  • Djembe
  • Dombak
  • Drum set
  • Flute
  • Congo
  • Kazakhstan
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America